조기경보위성 극초음속 미사일 추적 위성체계가 설계심사를 통과

[위종민]

https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/space/2021/12/21/new-hypersonic-missile-tracking-satellites-pass-critical-design-review/

극초음속 미사일 추적 위성체계가 설계심사를 통과했다고 합니다. 

미국 미사일 방어국이 L3해리스-노스롭 그루먼을 극초음속 및 탄도미사일 추적(Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor) 위성의 설계, 제조 및 프로토타입 데몬스트레이션 계약자로 선정했습니다. L3해리스의 계약규모는 1억 2200만 달러, 노스롭 그루먼은 1억 5500만 달러. 

현재 상공 2만마일(아마 정지궤도?)에서 소수가 운영되는 미사일경보위성과는 달리, HBTSS는 지구저궤도상에서 수 백대의 위성을 운영할 예정이라고 합니다. 

New hypersonic missile-tracking satellites pass critical design review

By Nathan Strout

 Dec 22, 06:04 AM

An artist's depiction of L3Harris' tracking layer satellite, which will be part of a solution designed by the Space Development Agency and the Missile Defense Agency to track and target hypersonic weapons from space. (L3Harris Technologies)

WASHINGTON — The prototype satellites that will help the U.S. Missile Defense Agency track hypersonic threats have passed a critical design review, meaning the contractors can move forward with manufacturing.

The Missile Defense Agency selected L3Harris Technologies and Northrop Grumman in January to design, build and demonstrate prototype satellites for its Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor. L3Harris was awarded $122 million, while Northrop Grumman was awarded $155 million.

Unlike the Space Force’s current missile warning constellation, which is made up of a handful of satellites more than 20,000 miles above the Earth’s surface, HBTSS will operate in low Earth orbit as part of a proliferated constellation of hundreds of satellites.

Satellites being built by the Space Development Agency will initially detect hypersonic and ballistic threats, passing along custody of the object as it passes in and out of view of individual satellites over an orbital mesh network of satellites. Custody will eventually be passed to the more sensitive HBTSS sensors of the Missile Defense Agency, which can create targeting data for an intercept.

“The combination of high speed, maneuverability and relatively low altitude of some of the emerging advanced missile threats makes them challenging targets for our current missile defense systems,” the agency explained when it issued the contracts. “HBTSS is needed, since we cannot populate the Earth and the oceans with terrestrial radars to meet this need. The ‘birth-to-death’ tracking that HBTSS can provide when integrated with terrestrial sensors will make it possible to maintain custody of missile threats from launch through intercept regardless of location.”

Northrop Grumman announced it had completed its critical design review in November.

“When it comes to national safety, there’s no room for error,” said Sarah Willoughby, the company’s vice president for OPIR and geospatial systems. “This critical design review puts Northrop Grumman on track to deliver a vital component of our missile defense architecture to keep the U.S. and its allies safe against hypersonic threats.”

L3Harris announced its completion Dec. 20, while noting that it had already begun construction.

“L3Harris is moving quickly, in collaboration with our customer, to provide prototype HBTSS satellites that demonstrate the sensitivity and fire control quality of service necessary to support the hypersonic kill chain,” said Ed Zoiss, the firm’s president of space and airborne systems.